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News: On 5 April 2026, the 119th birth anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram was observed with floral tributes and prayers in New Delhi.
About Babu Jagjivan Ram
- Babu Jagjivan Ram, known as Babuji, was a national leader, freedom fighter, and a strong crusader for social justice.
- Birth: He was born on April 5, 1908, in Chandwa village of Bihar in a Dalit family.
- Education: Despite facing caste discrimination, he studied at Banaras Hindu University and later graduated from Calcutta University in 1931.
- Philosophy: He followed the philosophy of equality and human dignity throughout his life and worked continuously to remove social discrimination and injustice.
- Key Contributions & Legacy:
- Freedom Struggle: He participated in movements and also acted as a bridge between Dalits and the Indian National Congress, linking social reform with national freedom.
- Social Reformer: In 1934, he founded the All India Depressed Classes League to promote equality for untouchables.
- Interim Government (1946):He became the youngest minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s interim government and handled the Labour portfolio.
- Labour Minister (1946–1952): During this period, he introduced important labour laws such as the Minimum Wages Act, Employees’ State Insurance scheme, and Provident Fund Act.
- Defence Minister (1970–1974): He led India during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
- Agriculture Minister (1967–1970): During this tenure, he guided the Green Revolution and made India self-sufficient in food grains.
- Other Key Role: In 1977, he formed the Congress for Democracy and later served as Deputy Prime Minister from January 1979 to July 1979.
- Longest-Serving Minister: He served as a Union Cabinet Minister for 35 years, which is the longest tenure in Indian history.
- Literature: In 1980, he wrote Caste Challenge in India, which explains his views on social inequality.
- Death: He passed away on July 6, 1986.
